Car Key Cutting Explained
Car key cutting is much more than simply shaping a piece of metal. It is a complex procedure that ensures security, functionality, and longevity of the keys.
It is not unusual to lose keys to your car or have them break through the lock. You'll need an alternative car key to ensure that you are able to drive your vehicle at all times.
Transponder Keys
Transponder chips will likely be fitted in vehicles built within the past 20 years. These microchips are located in the key's handle and transmit a signal your vehicle's onboard computers when you use the key. The computer in the car is able to verify the serial number of the chip before it allows the car to start. This stops theft of vehicles since thieves need to know your unique serial number in order to have a chance at hijacking it.
The microchip in the key sends a low-level signal the receiver within the car. The radio signal activates the microchip, and it then sends an encoded code to the car's onboard computer. The car will only start when it recognizes the code. This prevents "hot wiring" or other methods of stealing cars.
Car keys with chips can be created at locksmiths that offer these services. helpful hints can also be bought at a few automotive stores, such as AutoZone. These stores have a large range of keys and can help you find the right one for your vehicle. They can even help you program the chip to your vehicle, which is essential to use it.
Laser cut keys are more secure than flat keys. These keys are more secure than traditional flat keys due to the fact that they have a lock that is harder to pick. They are only duplicated with expensive laser key cutting machines, or specialized software. This technology is most common in high-end vehicles but is now accessible in a wide range of low-cost models.
The VATS (vehicle-anti-theft system) key is a different kind of key that is difficult to duplicate. They have a resistor that is black on the blade of the key. It can be programmed to one of a variety of values to stop it from starting a car that's not designed to. These keys are expensive and require the use of a key programming machine which is only available through certain locksmiths.
Keys to VATS
Before the days of transponder keys and cars equipped with computer chips that control the car's ignition, GM used something called VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). VATS utilizes a standard key with a pellet of resistance embedded within it to verify that the correct key is used to start the vehicle. The black VATS pellet in the center of a VATS key is not a chip like those found on modern smart keys, it's simply a block of carbon properly sized to carry a specific electrical resistance value.
GM employed 15 different resistances for the VATS Pellets and connected the key blades to them so that when the key is turned in the ignition the key blades transmit a coded message to the module. If the signal is in line with the signal of the transistor in a VATS pellet then the relay in the starter circuit will activate and the engine will begin to run. This doesn't make a car secure from burglary, but it can delay the thief for a minimum of fifteen to twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, after a lot of usage, the VATS module in your car can begin to wear out. Every time a key is inserted into the ignition it moves two tiny wires inside the ignition, and over time the wires could begin to break. When enough wires have been broken, the signal is lost to the module and the car won't begin.
The good news is that you can solve this issue at home by decoding your own VATS key. You'll require a multimeter as well as a chart to determine the resistance value of your key, but it's not difficult at all. All you have to do is place one of the leads of your ohm meter onto the metal prongs that are sticking out on both sides of the key. Then read the ohm meter's display to find out the resistance value of your key.
This is a great way to test a new key and check whether it will work in your vehicle. Be sure to remove the key from the ignition prior to testing it, or else the new key could be displaying an incorrect VATS value and may not work in your vehicle.
Smart Key Fobs for Keys
Key fobs today do more than simply unlock or start the car. They often have advanced features that many owners aren't aware of. They can be used as a security device or as a deterrent to theft. They can remotely lock and unlock your doors, emit noises that help you locate your car in a parking lot or let you summon your vehicle by pressing the button on your phone. That's a lot more than you'd imagine from a traditional keychain remote. Smart key fobs are more expensive to replace because of their extra functions. They also need to be programmed by a dealer.
In fact, some retailers will charge upwards of $100 to replace one smart key fob. It's a steep price for a device that is frequently tossed around in purses and pockets where it could be damaged, dropped or exposed to extreme temperatures and water. Certain automakers have developed strategies to shield smart key fobs from common electronic attacks, like relay attacks. These are often combined with remote start hacks which allows thieves to access your vehicle's settings through the transmission of a fake signal by another transmitter near.
One way to protect the smart key fob is to keep it in a metal case or use a specially designed RFID blocking case that prevents the transmission of these signals. However, having to take the key fob from its case that is protected each time you want to make use of it is a hassle and a detriment to the efficiency of the technology.
Certain policies that are more recent such as auto club memberships as well as extended warranties, will cover the cost of a replacement fob or reimburse you if it gets lost. You can also save money on new-car dealer fees and have your fob cut at an establishment like a locksmith or hardware store which offers key-fob cloning.
The decision to purchase a new fob is dependent on the importance of your car's keyless entry and start functions. You should always keep an extra key or fob on hand in the event that you misplace yours. And if you need to buy a new replacement, Batteries Plus has a large selection of fobs to fit the majority of cars and trucks. Plus, our quick and easy service is about 50% less than the price you'd spend at the dealership.
Traditional Keys
The classic car key is made of a single piece of steel with a series grooves carved into it. These grooves are designed to fit specific locks. They can open your locks and begin your car, provided you don't replace them with the remote key or smart key. The only drawback to using the traditional car key is that you need to physically insert it into the ignition to start the engine. If your traditional key has been lost, broken or stolen, you'll need to visit a Gainesville locksmith to get new keys made from the blank.
There are a variety of choices to pick from based on how long it has been since you were able to cut your keys. Certain keys utilize mechanical cutting machines to create copies, while others use laser-cut keys made with security features in mind.
Some of these modern features that are included in modern-day keys include encryption as well as other anti-theft mechanisms. Encryption makes it more difficult for thieves to duplicate keys or take locks. Other security features to prevent theft include transponder chips, which are incorporated into the key to communicate with your car and make it only function when it's within the range of your car.
If you opt to use a traditional key, your locksmith can make an entirely new key using an ordinary cutter machine that can be bought from a variety of hardware stores. This is cheaper than a key fob, or a transponder, and you are still able to operate your locks, trunk, and doors.
Another option is to have the traditional car keys substituted with a laser-cut version with a distinctive pattern. The first time these keys were introduced was in the late 1990s, and are now a popular option for those looking to provide extra security to their vehicles. The majority of laser cut keys contain transponder chips that are programmed to work only with the specific vehicle you own. If these chips aren't present in your vehicle it will not respond to the signals generated by the key.